Muscles of the Knee (Cross-section View)

The muscles of the knee include the quadriceps, hamstrings, and the muscles of the calf. These muscles work in groups to flex, extend and stabilize the knee joint. These motions of the knee allow the body to perform such important movements as walking, running, kicking, and jumping.

Extending along the anterior surface of the thigh are the four muscles of the quadriceps femoris group (vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius, and rectus femoris). These large muscles originate in the ilium and femur and insert on the tibia....

Full Muscles of the Knee (Cross-section View) Description

[Continued from above] . . . Contraction of the quadriceps group extends the leg at the knee and flexes the thigh at the hip.

The hamstring muscle group extends across the posterior surface of the thigh from the ischium of the pelvis to the tibia of the lower leg. Three individual muscles form the hamstrings group: biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus. The hamstrings work together to flex the leg at the knee.

In the calf region of the leg, the gastrocnemius muscle extends from the distal end of the femur through the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon to the calcaneus of the heel. The gastrocnemius forms the posterior muscular wall of the knee and acts as a flexor of the knee and plantar flexor of the foot.

Some other muscles that assist with the movements of the knee include the tensor fasciae latae, popliteus and the articularis genus muscles. The tensor fasciae latae contracts the iliotibial band of fibrous connective tissue that helps to stabilize the femur, tibia, and thigh muscles. Flexion of the knee requires some slight rotation of the tibia, which is provided by the contraction of the popliteus muscle. The tiny articularis genus muscle elevates the suprapatellar bursa and capsule of the knee joint to prevent pinching of this soft tissue during extension of the leg at the knee.

Prepared by Tim Taylor, Anatomy and Physiology Instructor

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